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Knives Out (2019)
Knives Out (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Ana de Armas (0 more)
Daniel Craig's accent (0 more)
It seems all bit impossible to talk about a Rian Johnson film without mentioning *that* other, incredibly divisive, movie in a certain Space-based franchise.

I'm one of those who that movie pretty much soured me on seeing any others by the same director.

However, this recently popped up on Netflix and so I decided that, as enough time had passed, I would give it a shot.

What I saw was pretty much a standard whodunnit, not as funny or as clever as the reviews made it out to be, and with some twists and turns I saw coming but others which I didn't.

I will agree, however, that Ana de Armas is the standout in the entire film. (And the least said about Craig's atrocious accent the better)
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Nanny Needed in Books

Apr 28, 2022  
Nanny Needed
Nanny Needed
Georgina Cross | 2022 | Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a gripping story that had me eagerly listening at every opportunity.

Sarah is up to her eyes in debt and when she comes across an advert for a job as a nanny which could be the answer to her troubles, she jumps at the chance but if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is!!!!

Sarah quickly discovers that the people she is working for a little bit odd and as secrets are revealed, she is in too deep to get out.

A very entertaining and engrossing story with a twist that I didn't see coming and with a narrator who does a great job.

Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
The little mermaid (2023)
The little mermaid (2023)
2023 | Fantasy, Musical
5
5.6 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I know I've seen the 1989 original.

I don't remember much about it, other than the basic outline of the plot.

I do know that this follows the same story, almost beat for beat, and that there was lot of controversy around the casting of Ariel herself (believe it or not) coming up to the time of release.

Having now watched it on Disney Plus, I found it to drag somewhat; more drawn out than it needed to be.

Halle Bailey does silence her critics in the lead role, with Melissa McCarthy's Ursula also lighting up the screen when she is on it, but it feels like if had been extended (in running time, by nearly an hour over the original or so I have read) just because they could!
  
Ambulance (2022)
Ambulance (2022)
2022 | Action, Crime, Drama
6
6.6 (8 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I'd heard (read) this described as 'the most Michael Bay film to ever Michael Bay since The Rock', and - after now having watched it - I can see where they are coming from!

This is, essentially, a 2 (and a bit) hour long chase movie, with cops chasing after a hijacked LA ambulance with 2 of the robbers on board - alongside a paramedic being held hostage and a shot cop bleeding out in the back - after a failed bank robbery.

It's all very American (and sun drenched) - the amount of collateral damage and shooting going on would never happen anywhere else in the world (yes, I know it's a movie) - with Jake Gyllenhall in particular putting in a pretty unhinged performance as one of the two robbers.

One of those 'watch and forget' style action movies.
  
Coming Home
Coming Home
Fern Britton | 2017 | Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Read my full review on: diaryofdifference.com/2018/04/27/coming-home-fern-britton-book-review/

<img id="coverImage" alt="Coming Home" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511803698l/30407364.jpg">;

I had the pleasure to receive a copy of this book from GoodReads and HarperCollins. This was the first book I have read from Fern Britton, and I know it won’t be my last for sure!

Coming Home is based in Cornwall, England, a beautiful seaside area with loads of fisherman around. The author describes the place so well, that it made me want to go there, just to see it and be close to the characters. It reminds me of South Shields very much as well.

This is a story of one family, three generations and their difficult lives entwined with love, pain, leaving and coming back home.

Sennen is a woman that leaves her hometown, her parents and her two little children (Ella and Henry) at 17-years-old because life gets too hard to handle.

Ella and Henry are raised by their grandparents and live their whole life without their mother in their lives - until one day, Sennen comes back and wants to be a part of their lives. But are they ready for it?

We see the story through the eyes of Sennen, Ella and Henry and the grandparents. We travel from one generation to the other through the years, and we learn a lot for each of the characters. It is so well-written, that I wasn’t confused at all. Usually I get confused when authors try to do this in other books, but this one was definitely not the case.

This is one of those books that will hook you from the very first pages! The characters are so warm and close to the heart, that I felt like I have known them forever. I felt close to them and their feelings and thoughts, that I could have easily gone out and have a conversation with them. It is one of those books that fills you with anticipation, then gives you a back-story, and just when you thought things will happen as you thought, you will discover a surprise.

Wonderful plot and beautifully written - this is a book of love, family, broken and fixed hearts. This is a book that will make you cry while waiting for a train, and laugh out loud while drinking a hot chocolate in a coffee shop.

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LucyB (47 KP) rated Big Little Lies in Books

Jul 23, 2017  
Big Little Lies
Big Little Lies
Liane Moriarty | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.6 (97 Ratings)
Book Rating
Darkly funny, great characters, didn't see the end coming (0 more)
Magnificently clever, darkly humorous, thought-provoking read.
Sigh. I do so love it when I finish a book and wish it wasn't finished! Big Little Lies is absolutely one of the best books I've read for a while, and absolutely had me hooked from start to finish.

The story focuses on three main characters: bolshy Madeleine, mousy Jane and beautiful Celeste - who share a common bond; they have children starting the same kindergarten class. However, things go swiftly wrong when Jane's child Ziggy is accused of trying to strangle another child - a situation that soon escalates with alarming consequences.

The book captures playground politics to perfection (I'm wagering the author MUST have kids of her own), but goes far beyond exploring the behaviour of over-zealous school mums. It also examines the insanity of bullying, how quickly situations can spiral out of control, and the horror of domestic abuse. In spite of handling some weighty issues, it also manages to be quite darkly amusing and highly wry.

The characters are likeable, engaging and relateable (I'd guess most mothers reading this book would instinctively 'gravitate' towards one of the three protagonists). And the ending? I won't spoil it - but put it like this, I certainly didn't see it coming.

Love love love this book. Definitely one to read, folks!
  
Let Me Lie
Let Me Lie
Clare Mackintosh | 2018 | Thriller
10
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
It is the one year anniversary of the death of Anna Johnson's mother when she receives an anonymous note that makes her question everything about her parents deaths. The previous year both her parents had taken their lives within months of each other, but did they really? When Anna goes to the police with her note, more disturbing events take place and she doesn't know what to do. Full of twists and turns you won't see coming, this book is definitely one to read.

I read this book as part of a buddy read and I loved it!! I didn't see any of the twists and turns coming.

Can you imaging grieving the deaths of your parents for a year just to find out that they might not even be dead? What would you do? Do you think anyone would believe you? I wasn't sure what was going to happen with this book and it's hard to give a concise review without giving away too many details.

I thought I knew what was going to happen in the end and who was behind all of the incidents happening in Anna's life, but I was way off. I couldn't have imagined the ending at all.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who like a thriller with unimaginable twists.